Gold prices are near record highs. That jewellery sitting unworn in a box — a chain from a wedding twenty years ago, a bangle inherited from a parent, a ring that no longer fits — is worth more in cash today than it has been at almost any point in living memory. If you are in Dublin and thinking about selling, here is what you need to know before you walk through anyone's door.
Know your weight and purity before anything else
This is the single most important thing to do before selling gold anywhere. Every buyer — whether an auction house, a cash-for-gold shop, or a bullion dealer — pays based on two things: the weight of pure gold in the piece, and the current spot price. Everything else is a conversation about how much of that value they pass on to you.
If you walk in without knowing the weight and purity, you are negotiating blind. The buyer knows exactly what they are paying per gram. You should too. Your piece's purity — 22-carat, 18-carat, 9-carat — is stamped into the metal as a hallmark: 916, 750, or 375 respectively. With those two numbers and the live gold price, you can calculate a fair baseline before you go.
What to do: Use our gold price calculator before approaching any buyer — free, no login required. Whatever you are offered, you will know immediately whether you are being treated fairly.
Auction houses — best for quality pieces
For high-quality pieces — particularly those with maker's marks, antique Irish silver, diamond-set jewellery, or hallmarked Georgian and Victorian items — auction is almost always the best route. John Weldon Auctioneers on Cows Lane in Temple Bar is Dublin's most established jewellery auction house, running monthly sales of jewellery, silverware, and gold coins. They offer free valuations and the piece goes to whoever bids highest on the day, which means the price is set by the market rather than by a single buyer.
The trade-off is time. There is typically a two-week wait from submission to auction, and another two weeks before payment clears. If you need cash quickly, this is not the route. But if you have a piece of genuine quality or provenance, patience pays.
What to do: If your piece has significant design, historical, or gemstone value, get an auction valuation before going anywhere else. The difference between what a cash buyer offers and what a competitive auction achieves can be substantial on a quality piece.
Cash-for-gold jewellers — best for scrap and broken pieces
For broken jewellery, mismatched earrings, old chains, or pieces with no significant design or gemstone value, cash-for-gold is practical and immediate. Martin Gear Jewellers on Mary Street in Dublin city centre is one of the longest-established buyers, paying per gram based on purity regardless of condition. Kobash's Jewellers and Greene's Jewellers are other reputable options in Dublin. All buy any karat, any condition, over the counter, with payment on the spot.
What to expect: you will be asked for photo ID, you must be over 18, and large quantities require an appointment. The price offered will be below spot — every buyer discounts to cover their costs and margin. The question is how much below.
What to do: Get at least two quotes from separate buyers before agreeing to anything. If a buyer will not tell you their per-gram rate before weighing your piece, go elsewhere.
Bullion dealers — best for coins, bars, and investment gold
If you are selling gold coins, bars, or high-purity investment gold rather than jewellery, a bullion dealer will typically offer closer to spot price than a jewellery buyer. BullionByPost Ireland operates a buyback service with competitive rates. For jewellery, the calculation is more complex — the dealer will assess the piece for scrap gold value only, ignoring any design premium.
What to do: For investment-grade gold, compare the bullion dealer's buy price against the live spot price. A reputable dealer will be transparent about the spread. For jewellery, stick to specialist jewellery buyers who can assess the piece's full value rather than treating it as pure scrap.
Selling inherited Indian gold in Dublin
Indian families in Ireland often hold inherited gold — jewellery brought from home that was never tracked, valued, or registered anywhere. Selling it in Ireland is straightforward in practice: gold is gold, and buyers pay by weight and purity regardless of where the piece was made. You do not need an Irish hallmark to sell to a cash buyer or auction house — at a scrap buyer or auction, metal content is all that matters.
One practical note: if the piece is high-purity Indian gold — 22-carat or above — make sure the buyer tests it rather than assuming. Some buyers default to offering 18-carat prices on unfamiliar pieces unless challenged.
What to do: Ask for a test, not an assumption. Any reputable cash-for-gold buyer will test the piece in front of you before making an offer. If they quote without testing, that is a red flag. Know your piece's purity going in — then the test result is a confirmation, not a surprise.